Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-08-12

De diOUt, elllhC' al 10 '
your escape, and no suspicion can
attach to me, as | am one OF the
guests, and as l have been on ap'
parently quite friendly terms with
this destroyer of my peace during
| the whole evening. If you are un'
able to avenge me tonight, ] shall
be at the cottage of the gardener
tomorrow forenoon. | must now
away"
Once more the entrance of the
arbor was darkened by the two
figures, that of the lady quickly
disappearing, while CASTOR re-
NAMED.
On finding himself alone, the viii
liam removed his hat for moment,
disclosing a low, retreating fore
head, and a face the most repul'
sive, which he began to mop with
a red pocket. handkerchief
This latter accomplished, he drew
from his bosom long, shining knife
or blade, which flashed for an in.
slant in the moon, and then step
ping aside, he concealed himself
among the foliage, as if to await
the reappearance of his intended
victim.
I was, as might be presumed, In
a state of the most dreadful excite.
ment and alarm, for here | was in
secluded part of the grounds, with
an assassin within few feet OF me
meditating terrible deed and not
knowing at what instant he might
dart out and plant his deadly weap'
on in the heart of Miss l. once
she had passed the entrance of the
arbor.
My hope of escape was cut OIL
completely, for it was impossible
for me to work my way through the
dense sides OF the retreat without
a noise that would lead to my dis
covery. So l kept my eye fastened
steadily on the opening, determined,
when l heard the approaching foot
steps of my friend and his compan-
ion, to burst forth from my conceal
ment and apprise them Of their dan
ger.
This decided upon, without a mo-
ments hesitation, cautiously sank
on one knee and began to take of
my shoes, which, although very
light, would still make considerable
noise on the gravel. had remov.
ed one of them, and was about to
relieve myself Of the other, when
my hand touched something cold
that was lying on the ground. |
grasped it noiselessly, and found it
to be a short crowbar, that had, |
suppose been used in removing
stones from the walks.
| was now armed, and, regalning
my feet, l stood divested of my
shoes, determined to cope with the
murderer when the moment arrived.
| was not kept long in suspense,
tor scarcely had stood erect with
the crowbar in my hand, when the
siIvery laugh of Florence and the
gay voice of Frederick fell upon my
ear. There was slight rustllng
among the leaves near the entrance
of the arbor, and l observed CASTOR
cautiously peering through the
opening, while his terrible blade
glittered again in the mOonbeams.
His back was turned towards me,
and as the young lovers were now
close by, be seemed preparing him
self to spring out from his conceal
ment the instant they passed.
There was not a second to be
lost, for they were already opposite
the grotto, and in another moment
the murderer would be upon them
My breath came thick and fast, and
before l was aware of my move
ments / found that l had crept
within single pace Of him.
His knife was suddenly lifted
above his head, and perceiyine
Frederick and Florence had now
left the arbOr a few PAGES behind
stepped forth softly on the grass
careful not to tempt the noisy gray
ell, and was IN the act of stealing
upon them, when, with a swift AM
terrible blow, | felled him senseles
to the earth, while uttering, at tn
same time a cry for help that reach
ed the lawn near the mansion.
In a mon rent Frederick was b,
my side, Wild with surprise AM
alarm, Will Florence fell, almos
! fainting, in to the extended arms Q
, the beautif al Clara. who, with sey
eral ladies and gentlemen, quick
reached tn spot.
Enraged. at such perfdy on tn
part Of woman, / instantly viii
pered few words in the ear Of th
fiendish rival of Miss l., VII
f had supposed her intended victil
/, sta bbed to the heart, which cause
= her to disappear from the seer
}. " ith a sudden cry that was inexpl
i cable save to myself only.
Y In the meantime, and withol
e further explanation, / caused Ca
), ton to be firmly bound by some
!. the servants, and carried, whi
still insensible, to one of the OF
Is buildings of the mansion, where
"a watch was set over him, while ia